NPD Project Manager

Location: donnelly fresh foods, Snugborough Road Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Working hours – Monday to Friday 8.00am– 4.30pm

About Us:

We’re grounded in a proud history of bringing people across Ireland the best in fresh. What began in Dublin’s Smithfield Market has developed into a thriving business. Providing wholesome, fresh, natural food to families across Ireland is our world. The donnelly fresh group, comprises donnelly fresh. produce, donnelly fresh. foods & donnelly fresh. farms.

At donnelly fresh foods, we blend innovation and imagination to create bespoke fresh food solutions for Ireland’s top retailers and foodservice outlets in both private label and brand. For over two decades, we have been at the forefront of developing a diverse range of value-added products for Irish consumers. Our commitment to observing the latest food trends and market shifts allows us to carve out distinct niches for our customers across multiple categories. Based in Dublin 15, our company employs over 180 people and produces a wide array of products to service the fresh food retail and foodservice industry, from vibrant fresh salads to convenient prepared vegetables and delicious food-to-go solutions. Our bespoke, hand-finished products set the standard for quality and innovation, making us a trusted brand among major Irish retailers and foodservice operators.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an organised, self-motivated, and ambitious foodie to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator with strong problem-solving abilities, flexibility, and adaptability to meet the company’s needs. You will be a team player who can also work independently, with strong time management skills. You will work with multiple customers across several product categories in this fast-paced role.

Key Responsibilities:

- Project Leadership:Lead assigned projects from the initial brief to the final review within our stage gate process, from project concept and opportunity assessment to full launch (production trials, scale-up, launch, and post-reviews).

- Customer Management:Serve as the direct NPD contact for several retail and foodservice customers, managing their day-to-day needs.

- NPD Delivery: Execute NPD briefs as requested by customers or senior management, which may include multiple briefs from each customer relating to different categories in their range. Ensure all customer projects are reviewed as part of our stage gate system, the NPD process is followed and customer product submission forms submitted.

- Presentations:Attend customer meetings both onsite and offsite, including the organisation, preparation, and presentation of samples and setting up displays.

- Benchmarking:Conduct product benchmarking, customer reviews, and gap analysis on your customers categories.

- Sample Preparation:Prepare samples required during the development process and organise transportation, with team support available.

- Documentation:Complete all launch documentation, including HACCP risk assessments, critical path, launch planning documents, QAS, organoleptic, cook validation, QAS, raw material, and line spec sheets.

- Analysis and Evaluation:Record all sensory or benchmark analysis, product evaluations, and new concept reviews in line with project expectations.

- Meetings:Lead project status updates at weekly NPD meetings attended by all relevant departments. Attend other meetings relevant to your customers and role.

- Stakeholder Management:Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Quality, Commercial, Production, Procurement, and Marketing, to identify and implement new and innovative NPD opportunities.

- Compliance:Work with the Technical & Procurement Teams to ensure compliance with packaging, ingredients, and labelling for all product launches.

- EPD Projects:Manage EPD projects by introducing recipe improvements, cost savings, or process efficiencies where required.

- Costings:Complete recipe costings for all developed recipes.

- Competence:Demonstrate a high level of competence in food science, food processing, food legislation, specifications, and recipe management.

- Cleanliness:Maintain a high standard of cleanliness when using the NPD kitchen and running production trials.

- R&D & Innovation: Allocated time will be given to work on these projects which will be factored into KPI’s.

Qualifications / Job Requirements:

- Degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Culinary Entrepreneurship, Food Innovation, or a similar field.

- Relevant food industry experience, particularly in a similar role, with a minimum of 4-5 years’ experience.

- Proven track record in a similar role within a high-risk food environment. Commercial awareness is important.

- Ability to motivate, self-manage, use one’s own initiative and adhere to agreed timelines and critical paths.

- Excellent project management skills and project leadership ability.

- Strong team player who works well with others with energetic attitude and the ability to be flexible.

- Full driving licence and access to a car.

- Passion for food with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, able to build and maintain customer relationships.

- Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in MS Excel.

- Fluency in English, both written and oral.

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